Paulino Garza

A two-month investigation culminated in the arrest of a man accused of 11 counts of sexual crimes against children yesterday afternoon at the State Department of Human Services office in St. Helens. Paulino Garza, 50, Scappoose was also charged with resisting arrest after he scuffled with deputies as they were taking him into custody. The arrest occurred following a Department of Human Services hearing in which the suspect was in attendance. DHS and CCSO investigators have been looking into accusations of child abuse against the suspect against his own children, culminating in the arrest yesterday. Garza was booked into the Columbia County Jail on seven counts of Sexual Abuse First Degree, one count of Sodomy Second Degree, one count of Rape Second Degree and two counts Unlawful Sexual Penetration Second Degree, as well as one count of Resisting Arrest. “We believe these crimes have been only against family members,” said Sheriff Jeff Dickerson. “At this time, there is no indication of abuse outside of the family circle.”Attached Media Files:Paulino Garza